To be Nationally Televised on Velocity

9/14/2018

The Kansas City Aviation Department is revving up for the KCI Cruise Night. On Saturday, September 22, the area east of Kansas City International Airport may look like a scene from the movie American Graffiti, as hundreds of classic, muscle and special-interest cars arrive for the 11th annual KCI Cruise Car Show.

Since 2007 the Kansas City Aviation Department has held successful KCI Cruises, drawing an estimated 1,000 display cars, and more than 1,000 attendees from miles around. The September 22 KCI Cruise Car Show will be held from 3 to 8 p.m., east of KCI Airport and I-29 at the Ambassador Building at KCI at 12200 NW Ambassador Drive.

Cruise Nights and Cruise Ins are the latest craze in car culture where owners of classic, muscle and other special interest autos gather to show off their prized possessions and share their love of cars with other enthusiasts and anyone who likes cars. There is no real cruising occurring, as vehicles are parked in a parking lot, usually with hoods open to display engine chrome and detailing. Participants “hang out” by their cars or wander to admire others’ cars, and the general public shows up to enjoy the cars, as well.

New for the 2018, KCI Cruise 2018 will be featured on the Menards Chevy Show on Velocity channel. The Aviation Department teamed up with Lee’s Summit-based Forward Sports Marketing to add variety in food truck offerings, vendors and attractions. Established in 2006, Forward Sports Marketing is an industry-leading agency for sponsor placement and activation in the automotive sports industry. Because of this new relationship, crews will be on hand to spot Chevrolets of distinction and interview the owners to possibly feature them on the nationally televised Menards Chevy Show. As before, proceeds will go to the Combined Charities program.

“I’m proud the KCI Cruise has reached its 11th year, and honored to team up with Forward Sports Marketing,” said Joe McBride, longtime organizer of the event. “It is rewarding to see so many awesome cars and so many people enjoying themselves, even if they are not all car enthusiasts. More importantly, the event gives back directly to those in need in the community. That’s what counts!”

The Aviation Department plans the events as fund raisers for the City of Kansas City, Missouri’s Combined Charities program, which bundles a variety of local, regional and national charities. Prizes are donated by tenants and area businesses. Prizes include tickets from Spirit Airlines, Chiefs, Royals, Sporting KC, PBR, Kansas Speedway, and Gangster Tours, hotel stays, Kansas City Steaks, gift cards and much more. Prize chances are $5 each and there will also be a $1-a-chance 50/50 drawing where half of the pot goes to charity and half goes to the lucky winner.